Block, Francesca Lia . Blood Roses. HarperTeen, 2008. 144 pages. ISBN-10: 006076385X. ISBN-13: 978-0060763855.Plot:
This collection of nine short stories centers on transformation and supernatural occurrences surrounding the female characters. In “Blood Roses” two sisters are obsessed with finding a blood rose, even though it means death for anyone who sees one. Their search leads them to the house of a man who claims to have photos of the dead rock star they love, but who spends his time talking about serial killers. In “Giant” Rachel begins to grow quickly after kissing her crush. She doesn’t feel worthy of him and wonders if she will be too much for him. In “My Haunted House” a little girl tries to convince her mother that the dollhouse her dad gave her is haunted. We learn a terrible secret about her father. In “My Boyfriend is an Alien” a schizophrenic girl begins dating a boy who says he’s an alien. In “Horses Are a Girl’s Best friend” Berry falls for a boy who is half-human half-horse. In “Skin Art” tattoos begin appearing all over Elodie’s body when she falls in love with a tattoo artist. In “My Mother the Vampire” a mother and daughter’s relationship is complicated by the mother’s quest to remain young. In “Wound and Wing” Audrey meets a fairy whose wings have been torn off. In “Changelings” a race of fairies lives underground.
Critical Evaluation:
Reading Block’s short stories is like being immersed in a dream. Her lyrical style and beautiful imagery alone would be enough to recommend this book, but the plots live up to the style, as well. Block has a way of slowly revealing what’s really going on, while still keeping some details hidden, that leaves the reader still contemplating the stories long after putting the book down. She’s also a master of subtext and metaphor. On the surface, each of her stories is simply about an unusual or supernatural occurrence. Underneath, she covers topics ranging from sexual abuse to fear of aging. Despite the range in subjects, each story touches on the idea of female transformation and the feeling so common in women - that of feeling like you’re too much, while still not being enough. This is a beautiful and empowering read. If shared with a young woman, it’s one that could be a catalyst for a great discussion.
Reader's Annotation:
Nine beautifully surreal stories about the transformation of young women.
Author Information:
Francesca Lia Block was born December 3, 1962 in Los Angeles. Her parents were a poet and a painter and their artistic lifestyle was a creative influence for Block. She has live in L.A her entire life, except for a brief period where she attended U.C Berkeley. After school, she returned to the city and still lives there with her two children. Her love for L.A. is very evident in her writing.
As a child she loved fairy tales and mythology and these have had a great influence on her writing. Her stories and novels all have a very fairy tale feeling to them, often containing magical or supernatural characters and situations. Though many do have a happy ending, they often contain gritty and dark elements. She writes about realistic and controversial subjects, which has led her books to be challenged often.
Genre:
Fantasy
Curriculum Ties:
English: Prose styling
Booktalking Ideas:
- Read the last paragraph of "Giant"
- Discuss the types of transformations the young women go through
- Talk about the fine line between fantasy and reality
Reading Level/Interest Age:
15 and older
Challenge Issues:
Sexual content
Graphic imagery
Nude photo on the cover
Challenge Defense Ideas:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
Adolescence is a time of great transformation. These stories touch on that in a way that is beautiful and fantastical.
